Pass the Goddam Butter

I love a polyrhythm. I don't know if they appeal to me so much because they feel out of my reach. I've tried using phrases - like pass the goddam butter - to make it easier and it all makes sense until I need to convince my hands to tap the different beats. This might be why bands like Meshuggah, Tool, and Gojira appeal to me so much.

The first time I heard (or noticed) a polyrhythm in a song was in Fake Empire by The National. The opening track of the album Boxer has a very beautiful and noticeable 3 on 4 polyrhythm. In the introduction, the left and right hands take a part each in the polyrhythm. Later in the song it sounds to me like the "acoustic" instruments play the 4/4 while the synths play the 3/4.

Whatever it is in reality, it's very nice, and I think you should give it a listen if you haven't already.

The National's albums are quite variable in their sound - especially the newer ones that have drifted to a blend of electronic and acoustic - but there is always an unmistakable Nationally flavour to them, not only from Matt Berninger's vocals. The drumming is particularly sharp. The guitar tones are perfectly muted. The keys and synths are obviously there when you listen closely, but work more to create a gorgeous soundscape than they do as individual sounds.

Boxer gets a solid 4.5 stars.